18 Colombian fruits you’ve probably never tried
From lulo and gulupa to chontaduro and caña fístula: the most unusual fruits I tried in Colombian markets, and what they taste like.
I tried Colombia’s most exotic fruits, and I bet you’ve never seen most of them before. Colombian markets are full of fruits that are hard to find anywhere else, and trying a new one every day became one of my favourite things to do.
The fruits
1. Feijoa
Green fruit with grainy flesh and a very aromatic flavour, often described as pineapple, mint and guava combined.
2. Tomate de árbol injerto en mora
A variety of tree tomato with berry-like notes (“mora” means blackberry). Tangy, slightly sweet and commonly used in juices.
3. Algarrobo
A long dark pod with naturally sweet pulp, often compared to chocolate or caramel in flavour.
4. Caña fístula
A long dark pod containing sticky, sweet pulp. Traditionally eaten in small amounts, and also used medicinally.
5. Granadilla
An orange passion fruit with clear, jelly-like pulp and crunchy seeds. Sweeter and milder than maracuyá.
6. Ciruela criolla
A small tropical plum with smooth skin and juicy flesh. Usually sweet, with a little sourness depending on ripeness.
7. Lulo
A bright green-orange fruit with a citrusy flavour, often compared to lime mixed with pineapple. Very refreshing as a juice.
8. Níspero
A soft brown fruit with smooth, grainy flesh and black seeds. Very sweet, with a caramel-like flavour often compared to brown sugar or pear.
9. Gulupa
Colombian purple passion fruit, with a sweet-tart flavour and crunchy seeds. More intense and acidic than maracuyá.
10. Mamoncillo
A small green fruit with a hard shell and juicy orange flesh around the seed. Sweet and slightly tangy, similar to lychee.
11. Rambutan
A bright red, hairy-looking fruit with translucent flesh inside. Sweet, juicy and similar to lychee.
12. Guayaba
A fragrant tropical fruit with pink or white flesh. Sweet, slightly floral and very aromatic.
13. Maracuyá
Yellow passion fruit with juicy pulp and seeds. Tangy, tropical and commonly used in juices.
14. Pitahaya
A bright tropical fruit with white or pink flesh and tiny black seeds. Mildly sweet and very refreshing.
15. Ciruela cereza
A small red or purple plum-like fruit with a sweet and slightly tart cherry flavour.
16. Curuba
A long yellow fruit with soft orange pulp. Sweet, tangy and slightly floral.
17. Chontaduro
A dense, starchy orange fruit, usually boiled before eating. It has a rich, nutty flavour and is often eaten with salt or honey.
18. Mango
Colombia has many unusual types of mango, from tiny ultra-sweet varieties to huge juicy ones. Some are eaten green with salt and lime, while others taste almost like honey.
Where to try them
The easiest place is a local market: most stalls will let you taste, and many of these fruits are sold as fresh juices too. Going to a market is also one of the things I always do in a new city.
Which one would you try first? I asked on Instagram, and you can vote for your favourite here.
